GOD WILL PROVIDE: Devotional # 2

                                    Genesis 21:8-21
                   (Read Passage of Scripture)

Not everyone laughed and rejoiced at the news of Isaac’s birth.  Hagar, Sarah’s maidservant, was unhappy.  Read Genesis 16:1-15 for the background of Hagar’s disappointment.  Since Abram’s wife, Sarai, could not bear children, she suggested that her husband “sleep” with Hagar.  It was a common custom, for a married woman who could not have children, to give her female servant to her husband to produce an heir.  The children born were considered children on the wife.

God told Abram that he would have heirs but Hagar was not what God meant.  Abram’s and Sarai’s lack of faith resulted in unintended consequences.  Sarai took matters into her own hands, having difficulty believing God.   God was teaching Abram and Sarai patience.   The consequence of Hagar’s pregnancy was that she despised her mistress (vs. 4) Hagar likely said:  “I can do something you can’t, get pregnant” 

Sarai said to Abram:  You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering … Do with her whatever you think best, replied Abram, (vs. 5-6).  It was Sarai’s idea of giving Hagar to her husband.  When Hagar “mocked” her, Sarai blamed her husband for the way she was being treated.     

Sarai mistreated Hagar, so she fled from her (vs. 6) Hagar ran away from her problem.  An angel of God gave advice to return and face Sarai and the problem, by submitting to her.  Hagar needed to work on her attitude no matter how justified she was (vs. 7-15).

Note the similarities to Genesis 21:8-21.  This time it is Hagar’s son Ishmael who mocked. Sarah said:  Get rid of that slave woman and her son … for he will never share in the inheritance with my son, Isaac, (vs. 10).  God tells Abraham that it is through Isaac that the whole world would be blessed.  Ishmael will be father of a nation as well.  Abraham sends Hagar and Ishmael away with provisions.  Vs.14-20 records what happened and how Ishmael became father of a great nation, the Arabs. Muslims believe it is through Ishmael not Isaac that God’s covenant and promise is fulfilled.

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QUESTION :
How does this scripture illustrate the consequences of past mistakes?  What does it teach about God’s care for those experiencing the results of other’s actions?   Have you been such a person?   Did you blame, run away or seek God’s guidance?

PRAYER:
Think of someone who has mistreated you or a problem from which you ran away, rather than face.  Pray that God will give you insight on how to respond to the person and or face the problem.        Pray for the courage of following God even when revenge would “feel” better. 
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 * Written for Glenkirk Church, Glendora, California:  Weekly Devotional On Salvador Dali's Painting:  "Abraham!  Abraham!"